Histochemical Investigation Of Two Plant Species Valued As Medhya Rasayanas

Abstract

We chose two different taxa used in folk medicine to determine their histochemical investigation: Bacopa monniri Pennell. and Centella asiatica Linn. Both the plants widely known as Brahmi are considered as ‘Medhya rasayanas’ in Ayurveda meaning brain tonic. However, these plants are distinctly different. The name Brahmi, Jala-brahmi or water-brahmi is assigned to Bacopa monnieri whereas ‘mandukaparni’, often confused with Brahmi, refers to Centella asiatica. A detailed histochemical investigation of leaf and stem of both the drugs was carried out. In general, these plants are used in folk medicine in the treatment as medhya rasayanas or 'mental rejuvenatives. Brahmi is used to treat specific mental disorders such as insanity and epilepsy, while mandukaparni is a general rejuvenative tonic which improves mental health. Brahmi promotes fertility and sustains implantation of the embryo in the uterus, while mandukaparni tends to reject the embryo. For histochemical studies, the free hand sections of leaves and stem were taken and treated with the respective reagent in localize components, viz. starch, protein, tannin, saponin, fat, Sugar, glucosides and alkaloids in the tissues.